Moscow: US Greenland initiative undermines stability in Arctic

Russia’s Ambassador to Norway, Nikolay Korchunov, has responded to the submission of a bill in the US Congress proposing the “annexation of Greenland,” a move presented as a means for Washington to strengthen its Arctic interests against China and Russia.

He stated that, despite heightened tensions and efforts by certain Western states to expand their influence in the region, Moscow continues to pursue a pragmatic line in Arctic cooperation.

The remarks were released by the Russian Foreign Ministry’s press service.

“As for prospects for interaction in the Arctic region,” Korchunov said, “it is important to maintain a pragmatic outlook in the High North, regardless of the course and internal disputes of Western states, while firmly defending our national interests. We remain open to mutually beneficial cooperation in the Arctic, including cooperation with Western countries, if they are prepared to return to an equitable dialogue.”

Korchunov added that traditional multilateral bodies, including the Arctic Council, are currently unable to ensure “low tension in the high latitudes” or facilitate meaningful cooperation. He highlighted particular concern over increased NATO activities in the region, arguing that such actions heighten tensions and create fractures within the alliance.

“The policy pursued by Western countries of deliberately intimidating the world with mythical Russian and Chinese threats in the northern latitudes has proven to be completely ineffective, and in the context of Greenland has returned as a boomerang against its instigators in Europe.”

The ambassador also criticised Denmark, saying that in recent years it has shown little interest in international Arctic cooperation and instead has prioritised military support for Ukraine, “to the detriment of its own defence capability and the security of Greenland.”

Addressing issues related to the Svalbard archipelago, Korchunov underscored the need for strict adherence to international law and to the provisions of the 1920 Svalbard Treaty. He added that any provocative proposals, such as those made by the president of Croatia, should be treated with caution.

By Tamilla Hasanova